BEATTY CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING OF 166 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS, OH — This week, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined Columbus State Community College, Woda Cooper Companies, local leaders, and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of Opportunity Pointe, a $51 million development that will bring 166 new affordable homes to the Columbus State campus in Downtown Columbus. Additionally, Congresswoman Beatty convened community partners and local leaders for a roundtable conversation on the monumental housing wins included in the recent 21st Century Road to Housing Act and the future of housing reform. 

The new development comes as Central Ohio faces an estimated shortage of more than 53,000 affordable housing units and families continue to grapple with housing costs that are rising faster than incomes.

“As Central Ohio grows, affordable housing must be part of that growth,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Opportunity Pointe is exactly the kind of investment we need. These 166 affordable homes, plus additional units dedicated to Columbus State students, will connect more people to education, jobs, transportation, and opportunity. This project also shows what is possible when federal investment and strong public-private partnerships come together. I’m proud to have fought for the HOME program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to help communities build more affordable housing and turn projects like Opportunity Pointe from plans into reality.”

Prior to the groundbreaking, Congresswoman Beatty partnered with the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) to convene a roundtable conversation with the following community partners and local leaders. Together, they discussed how the landmark 21st Century Road to Housing Act will increase access to affordable housing across the country and identified key areas for future reform building off of the recent legislative win. 

• Amy Riegel, Executive Director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) 
• President David Harrison of Columbus State Community College, 
• Jeffrey Woda, Founder and CEO of Woda Cooper Company, 
• Amy Rosenthal, Vice President of National Church Residences, and
• Carlie Boos, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO)

This conversation also highlighted the ongoing housing challenges Ohioans face as costs continue to rise and America’s affordable housing supply dwindles — specifically spotlighting the unique challenges of homelessness, affordable campus housing for college students, and the importance of permanent supportive housing. 

“Columbus is growing, and we must make sure that growth creates opportunities for everyone. Opportunity Pointe is an important investment in that vision, bringing much-needed affordable housing to our Downtown while giving families, workers and students the opportunity to live close to jobs, education, transportation and other community amenities,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus. “Through strong public-private partnerships like this one, we can continue building a city where everyone participates in and benefits from Columbus’ success.”

“Monday’s roundtable discussion reinforced just how critical it is for communities, policymakers, government officials, the private sector, and other stakeholders to work together to address the growing need for affordable housing. We know that housing affordability affects families, workers, students, seniors, and the economic health of our communities,” said Jeffrey J. Woda, Founder & CEO, Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. “That is why we are especially proud to break ground on Opportunity Pointe here in downtown Columbus. This is what can happen when we come together around a shared vision to make quality, affordable housing more accessible to the people who need it most.”

“Housing costs are increasing faster than incomes. Columbus, and communities throughout Ohio, are seeing the effects of the affordable housing shortage every day, from families struggling to pay rent to shelters operating beyond capacity,” said Amy Riegel, Executive Director, Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Beatty and all of her bipartisan colleagues for passing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Now we need to fully implement this legislation to fulfill its potential for expanding access to affordable homes.” 

“Opportunity Pointe will meet an urgent need for affordable housing, both for our students and for the broader Central Ohio community,” said President David T. Harrison. “This is a great example of how public-private partnerships can make a difference in people’s lives. Columbus State is proud to partner on this innovative solution to a regional challenge. Along with the YMCA and the recently announced ALDI, we are helping our students with housing, childcare, and food insecurity. These have been longstanding barriers to success for many of our students.”

“OHFA is proud to be a financial partner in Opportunity Pointe through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program,” said Bill Beagle, Executive Director of OHFA. “This housing development is a result of the shared vision of the city, Columbus State, and Woda Cooper to increase access to affordable, quality housing in Columbus.”

FEDERAL INVESTMENTS HELPING BUILD MORE HOUSING

Opportunity Pointe is supported in significant part by federal housing investments championed by Beatty in Congress, including funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).

Beatty leads the annual congressional appropriations request for the HOME program and has fought to protect and strengthen LIHTC, two critical federal tools that help leverage public and private investment to build and preserve affordable housing.

The groundbreaking also follows enactment of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major housing reform package that includes six bills championed by Beatty.

The legislation provides communities with additional tools to expand housing supply, unlock investment, strengthen housing counseling and financial literacy, support community financial institutions, and make it easier to move affordable housing projects from planning to construction.

Opportunity Pointe represents a public-private partnership among Columbus State Community Partners, Woda Cooper Companies, the City of Columbus, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Rocky Mountain Community Reinvestment Corporation, and other community and financial partners.

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